Connecting apparatus, and information processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A connecting apparatus, which can be used in combination with a plurality of IC, cards. The connecting apparatus holds an inserted smart card (first IC card) having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and holds a memory card (second IC card) having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and smaller than the first IC card. The connecting apparatus comprises a first connecting device having a slot into which the smart card is inserted and a connecting electrode which is so formed as to contact the flat type connecting terminal when the smart card is inserted into the slot; a second connecting device having a slot into which the memory card is inserted and a connecting electrode which is so formed as to contact the flat type connecting terminal when the memory card is inserted into the slot. The second connecting device is formed at a side, of the first connecting device, in which the connecting electrode of the first connecting device is formed, such that a region in which the connecting electrode is formed is exposed.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/030,856, filed Feb.24, 1998. The contents of this application being relied upon andincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connecting apparatus which is drivenby receiving an inserted IC card, (smart card, memory card or the like)which is a media composed of a semiconductor element mounted on a thinmaterial. The present invention also relates to an informationprocessing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, electronic business transactions and electronic bankinghave been put into practical use. Thus, a smart card which is an IC cardcontaining an CPU is attracting attention as a key medium. However, ithas a limitation in using it as a medium to record image data ofphotographs of identifications, signs, fingerprints, and the like,because the capacity of the smart card is as small as 0.5-32 kilobytes.For example, in holding digital signature (DSA) of a photograph of aface, a fingerprint, a voiceprint to authenticate a person in the smartcard, the DSA has a limit in its size. Security is demanded to a higherdegree in recent years in electronic banking and electronic businesstransactions because a greater amount of money is handled. It isdifficult for the smart card to hold greater information asauthenticating digital signature.

Recently, an IC card smaller than the smart card and having a greaterstorage capacity than the smart card is attracting public attention. TheIC card is composed of a memory element and has an area half of the areaof the smart card or smaller. In addition, the IC card has a storagecapacity of 1 MB-16 MB or more. Thus, it can serve like a vehicle or acontainer or various kinds of digital data, such as documents, images,and the like.

In order to drive the IC card, it is necessary to contact a flat typeconnecting terminal thereof with an electrode of a reading/writingequipment side. The IC card has a problem that when the electrode haddeteriorated mechanically owing to wear with age, reliability on theperformance of contact between the IC card and reading/writing equipmentside degrades. As described above, because in many cases, the IC card isused in electronic business transactions, electronic banking, and so onwhich should be made at a high degree of reliability. Thus, thedegradation of the reliability is a big problem.

Currently, the utilization of computer networks such as Internet,Intranet, and the like has become very popular among enterprises, homes,and the like. Important information, confidential documents, businesstransaction information (electronic settlements of accounts, electronicmoney information) are increasingly handles such an infrastructure.Thus, it has become more and more important to obtain security forhardware, software, and data constituting such a network. Above all, thesmart card is popularly adopted as an ID card, electronic chart,patient's chart, and the next generation credit card. Thus, a higherdegree of security if demanded for user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connectingapparatus which can be used in combination with a plurality of IC cardsand an information processing apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide a connecting apparatuscapable of securing reliability on a connection between it and IC cards.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an informationprocessing apparatus capable of providing a high degree of security inIC card-used processing of electronic information.

In order to achieve the objects, the connecting apparatus and theinformation processing apparatus have constructions as will be describedbelow.

The connecting apparatus of the present invention holds an inserted ICcard having a first flat type connecting terminal on an first facethereof and an inserted second IC card having a second flat typeconnecting terminal on a first face thereof and smaller than the firstIC card. The connecting apparatus comprises a first connecting meanshaving a slot into which the first IC card is inserted and a firstconnecting electrode which is so formed as to contact the first flattype connecting terminal when the first IC card is inserted into thefirst slot; a second connecting means having a slot into which thesecond IC card is inserted and a second connecting electrode which is soformed as to contact the second flat type connecting terminal when thesecond IC card is inserted into the second slot.

The first IC card conforms to ISO7810 (smart card and IC card of EMVspecification are included). As the second IC card, an IC card having anarea not more than half of the area of the first IC card can be used.For example, an IC card conforming to JEDEG-MO186 (FLOPPY DISK CARD) canbe exemplified.

Preferably, the second connecting means is formed at a side of the firstconnecting means. In which the first connecting electrode of the firstconnecting means is formed such that a region in which the firstconnecting electrode formed is exposed. A region not covered with thesecond connecting means is formed on the first connecting means byforming the second connecting means holding the second IC card smallerthan the first IC card on the first connecting means having the first ICcard. It is possible to form the first connecting electrode in regionnot covered with the second connecting means, for obtaining anelectrical connection with the first flat type connecting terminal ofthe first IC card inserted into the first slot. Further, it is possibleto mount a controller for driving the first IC card or the second ICcard in the region.. Accordingly, the connecting apparatus is allowed tobe think and compact.

Preferably, the first connecting electrode and the second connectingelectrode are formed in the same side of the first slow and the secondslot. The construction allows the first face of the first IC card andthe first face of the second IC card to face in the same direction whenthe first IC card and the second IC card are inserted into each of thefirst slot and the second slot. In this case, preferably, the firstconnecting electrode or the second connecting electrode is so formedthat a user understands the flat type connecting terminal when the userinserts the first IC card or the second IC card into the slot.

the first slot and the second slot are formed such that an insertiondirection of the first IC card and an insertion direction of the secondIC card are substantially identical to each other. The first IC card orthe second IC card can be conventionally inserted into the slot andtaken out therefrom and the connecting apparatus is allowed to becompact by making the insertion direction of the first IC card and thatof the second IC card coincident with each other.

Preferably, an opening of the first slot and an opening of the secondslot are formed on the substantially same plane.

Preferably, the first slot and the second slot are formed such that thefirst slot and the second slot overlap with each other with two sides incommon with each other when the first slot receives the first IC cardand the second slot receives the second IC card.

The first IC card and the second IC card may be different from eachother in the sizes and functions thereof. For example, the first IC cardmay have a CPU, and the second IC card may be a memory card. Needless tosay, the second IC card may be provided with a CPU function. The memorycard may have a serial access type memory element (memory element towhich addresses and data are inputted from common terminals and fromwhich addresses and data are outputted), for example, an NAND typeEEPROM or AND type EEPROM. The number of flat type external connectingterminals and the construction thereof can be standardized by employingsuch a serial access type memory element, irrespective of theintegration degree of a semiconductor device. Because the serial accesstype memory element has an advantage of inputting and outputting serialtype data, such as text, image, video, music, and the like at a highspeed, such a second card can be very favorably used to hold file data.

Preferably, the connecting apparatus has an interface means connectedwith the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrodeand driving the first IC card and the second IC card in parallel."Driving the first IC card and the second IC card in parallel" includingthe case in which one common interface circuit drives the first IC cardand the second IC card, and the case in which at least one of wiringconnecting the interface and the first connecting electrode as well asthe second connecting electrode with each other is commonly used.

The connecting apparatus can be allowed to be thin and compact byforming the interface means at a side, of the first connecting means, inwhich the first connecting electrode of the first connecting means isformed such that the interface means is adjacent to the second firstconnecting means.

Preferably, the interface means has a means for executing decoding andencoding of data inputted to and outputted from a first IC card or asecond IC card.

The interface means may have at least one CPU or one DSP. For example,it is possible to accomplish complicated processing such as decoding andencoding of data inputted to and outputted from the first IC card or thesecond IC card in combination of the CPU and the DSP of the interfacemeans or in combination of the CPU and the DSP contained in the IC card.

An information processing apparatus comprising a casing; a substrateaccommodated in the casing and having a central processing unit mountedthereon; a connecting apparatus having a first slot and a second slotformed therein and installed on one surface of the casing; and interfacemeans, formed on the substrate, for controlling signals in parallelwhich are transmitted between the central processing unit and the firstIC card as well as the second IC card; and a connection wire connectingthe interface means and the first connecting electrode as well as thesecond connecting electrode with each other. The central processing unitmeans an apparatus, for example, a CPU and a DSP installed in theinformation processing apparatus and executing control and operation(arithmetic) by its high performance.

For example, the information processing apparatus has the followingconstruction: A connecting apparatus holding a plurality of IC cardshaving different sizes is installed at a portion (for example, bay of3.5-inch width or 5-inch width and half-span height or 1-span height) inwhich a floppy disk drive is mounted. An interface means comprising acontroller of two IC cards is interposed between the connectingapparatus and the central processing unit at a personal computer side ora bus connected with the central processing unit to connect theconnecting apparatus and the personal computer with each other. IN thepresent invention, so long as a plurality of IC cards is driven inparallel, the interface means may be positioned at the connectingapparatus side or at the personal computer side.

It is possible to connect the interface means with a power supplyterminal or a ground terminal of the first connecting electrode which isconnected with the first flat type connecting terminal of the first ICcard and the second connecting electrode which is connected with thesecond flat type connecting terminal of the second IC card through acommon connection wire. According to the present invention, an access tothe IC contained in each of the first IC card and the second IC card isexecuted through each of the first and second flat type connectingterminals exposed on the surface of the first IC card and the second ICcard. Accordingly, it is possible to input addresses, data, and commandsto the first IC card and the second IC card and output them therefrom inparallel by using a common interface. At this time, the power supply andthe supply of the ground potential can be accomplished by using thecommon wire. Thus, the number of connecting wiring(s) can be reduced.

An information processing apparatus of the present invention comprises aconnecting means having a slot receiving and IC card containing and IChaving a flat type connecting terminal; and an interface means accessingto the IC card through the connecting electrode and the flat typeconnecting terminal. The interface means has a counter means forcounting the number of times of a contact between the connectingelectrode and the flat type connecting terminal; and a means forcomparing a predetermined value indicating the number of times of thecontact between the connecting electrode and the flat type connectingterminal with a value counted by the counter and stopping an access tothe IC card when the value counted by the counter has reached thepredetermined value.

For example, in the information processing apparatus may comprising aconnecting means having a slot receiving an IC card containing an IChaving a flat type connecting terminal; and an interface means accessingto the IC card through the connecting electrodes and the flat typeconnecting terminal, the interface means may have a memory means forstoring a predetermined value as the number of times of a contactbetween the connecting electrode and the flat type connecting terminal;a counter means for counting the number of times of the contact betweenthe connecting electrode and the flat type connecting terminal; and ameans for comparing the predetermined value stored by the memory meanswith a value counted by the counter and stopping an access to the ICcard when the value counted by the counter has reached the predeterminedvalue.

More specifically, in order to access to the IC card, it is necessary toallow a contact between the flat type connecting terminal of the IC cardand the connecting electrode of the connecting apparatus such as contactpins. There is a possibility that the reliability of the connectingapparatus deteriorates due to wear; signals cannot be inputted to the ICcard and outputted therefrom; or an erroneous operation occurs.Accordingly, according to the information processing apparatus of thepresent invention, the number of times of the insertions of the IC cardinto the slot and the number of times of the contact between theconnecting electrode and the flat type connecting terminal of the ICcard are counted. The input/output of signal to/from the IC card isstopped when the counted value has reached the predetermined value.

The realizability on the system can be improved in utilizing the IC cardby forming the connecting electrode is capable of exchanging, and avalue counted by the counter is reset when the connecting electrode isexchanged. For example, the connecting electrode of the connecting meansis so formed that the connecting has a means for discriminating anunused state and a used state from each other electrically ormechanically. A value counted by the counter is reset only when theconnecting electrode in the unused state is exchanged. Such aconstruction can prevent an erroneous operation from occurring, thusallowing security to be given to data. The predetermined value forresetting may be stored in a memory of the interface means.

There is provided an information processing apparatus of the presentinvention which is driven by receiving an inserted IC card having afirst flat type connecting terminal on a first face face thereof and aninserted second IC card having a second flat type connecting terminal ona first face thereof and smaller than the first IC card, the informationprocessing apparatus comprising an interface means for driving the firstIC card through the first flat type connecting terminal and driving thesecond IC card through the second flat type connecting terminal inparallel. The interface means has a means for executing decoding andencoding of data inputted to and outputted from a first IC card orsecond IC card.

The first IC card has a means for decoding or encoding data which isinputted to and outputted from the first IC card or the second IC card;and the interface means a means for executing decoding or RSA of datawhich is inputted to and outputted from the first IC card or the secondIC card.

For example, when a smart card having a CPU is used as the first ICcard, and a memory card is used as the second IC card, the CPU of thefirst IC card may execute decoding and encoding of DES, and theinterface means may execute decoding and encoding of RSA. It isdifficult to mount a high-performance CPU on the smart card inconsideration of the size and cost thereof. Thus, it is preferable thatthe CPU of the smart card executes relatively "light" DESencoding/decoding calcuration, while the CPU of the interface meansexecutes relatively "heavy" RSA encoding/coding calculation. In such acase, the first IC card may hold a value of an encoding key and thefirst IC card any decode data held by the second IC card. By doing so,the data cannot be accessed without the first IC card when the memorycard is used as the second IC card, which promotes a security. Aco-processor, which encrypts the DES or the like, may be mounted in theIC of the smart card.

The memory card has a much greater storage capacity than the smart card.Thus, the use of the memory card as the second IC card allows largesized information (for example, photograph of user's face, fingerprint,voiceprint, etc.) to be used as digital sign for authentication.Further, such data may be stored by the second IC card after the data isencrypted by the operation device at the interface side or the operationdevice of the first IC card.

The connecting apparatus and the information processing apparatus of thepresent invention are applicable to information processing systems whichexecute transmission of data through a network. For example, aprocessing system comprises a first IC card holding a value of aDES-encoding key and having a first flat type connecting terminal on afirst face thereof; a second IC card having data containing digital dataand having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first facethereof and smaller than the first IC card; a means for receiving thefirst IC card and the second IC card; an interface means having a CPUconnected with a network and driving in parallel the first IC cardthrough the first flat type connecting terminal and the second IC cardthrough the second flat type connecting terminal; a means for encryptingdata of DES by means of a CPU of the first IC card; a means forencrypting a value of a key for decoding encrypted data of DES by anopen key of a receiver; and a means for transmitting to the network theencrypted data of DES and the value of the data-decoding key encryptedby the open key of the receiver. For example, data transmission based onSET (Secure Electronic Transaction) protocol may be executed.

Photographs, fingerprints, voiceprints or a combination thereof may beused as a digital sign to authenticate a person. The data ofphotographs, fingerprints, voiceprints or the like may be encrypted bythe person's own key by using RSA to store the data in a memory card.The encryption of the RSA may be processed by a CPU or a DSP of theinterface circuit and the encrypted data may be stored in the memorycard.

The data encrypted by the DES may be processed by the CPU of the IC cardor processed by using the CPU or DSP of the interface circuit, based onthe value of the encryption key stored in the IC card.

The DES-decrypting key for decoding data encrypted by the DES isencrypted by the public key of the receiver by using the RSA. Asdescribed above, complicated processing can be accomplished in a shortperiod of time by using the CPU or the DSP of the peripheral interfacecircuit or the like.

The reason encoding an decoding are preferably performed on the externalCPU or the DSP of the interface circuit is because as the number of bitsof the value of the RSA key becomes longer to improve data security, aburden is increasingly applied to the CPU or the DSP. Thus, a CPU of acomparatively which has short bit length, for example, eight bits andcan be mounted in the IC card takes a long time to execute processing.On the other hand, the external high-performance 16-bit or 32-bit CPU orDSP of the interface circuit or the like has a high performance and canbe installed on the interface circuit or the like, depending onnecessity because they have less restrictions than the CPU of the shortbit length in installing them on the interface circuit or the like.

The encrypted digital sign, the encrypted data, and the encrypteddecrypting key may be sent to the network and received therefrom.

The IC card can be classified into two types, depending on whether ithas a CPU. Herein, the IC card (for example, IC card conforming to ISO)having the CPU loaded therein is called a smart card, whereas the ICcard not having a CPU and substantially composed of a memory element iscalled a memory card.

As described above, the electronic business transaction system, theelectronic banking system, and the electronic money system can beefficiently utilized in combination of the connecting apparatus of thepresent invention or the information processing apparatus thereof and aplurality of IC cards, for example, the smart card and the memory card.

Further, the connecting apparatus of the present invention or theinformation processing apparatus thereof may be used as a system ofdistributing file data though various kinds of networks such as theInternet.

For example, such a communication system comprises an IC card having aflat type connecting terminal and a serial access type memory elementconnected with the flat type connecting terminal; and a means fortransmitting file data to the memory element through the external flattype connecting terminal.

The identification of users and payment required in distributing filedata may be executed by using an IC card (first IC card) having a flattype connecting terminal; a CPU connected with the first flat typeconnecting terminal, and a memory element connected with the CPU.

The file data may be distributed by encrypting it.

The file data includes music data, image data, and video data, inaddition to text data.

Of such data, the music data may be distributed by compressing it byusing compression algorithm such as AAC, AC-3 or the like. The imagedata may be compressed by compressing it by using the compressionalgorithm such as JPEG or the like.

As described above, the electronic business transaction system, theelectronic banking system, and the electronic money system can beefficiently utilized in combination of the connecting apparatus of thepresent invention or the information processing apparatus thereof and aplurality of IC cards, for example, the smart card and the memory card.

In such a case, the security of the system can be enhanced by usingencrypted identification data held in the memory card for authenticationand using the smart card serving as a means for payment, in combinationwith the memory card.

As the identification data, image data such as a fingerprint, aphotograph of a face, the iris; voice data; and a combination thereofmay be used. It is preferably that the identification data is encryptedas a digital sign to authenticate individuals. For example, theidentification data may be encrypted by a CPU of an interface to storethe encrypted identification data in the memory card. Further, when theidentification data is encrypted by an external interface, the encodingmay be executed, based on a value of a key held in the smart card.

As an example of such a system, music distribution and payment which areexecuted by using two IC cards is described below. That is, music isdistributed to users by using various networks and the data of thedistributed music is stored in the memory card (for example, second ICcard). Using the IC card makes the payment and settlement of accountsfor the music distribution (for example, first IC card). Because thedata of music, image, and video is suitable for serial access, it isappropriate to hold it in the IC card having the flat type connectingterminal and a serial access type memory element.

It is preferable to distribute the data of music by compressing it byusing the compression algorithm such as AAC, AC-3 or the like to preventtraffic congestion and improve communication speed. Storing the data ofmusic in a compressed state therein can save the capacity of the memorycard. The memory card may hold the data of music by encrypting it. Themusic data itself may be encrypted. The encrypted music data stored inthe music data may be held in the memory card.

Music can be distributed to users through various kinds of networks suchas the Internet and the processing of the payment for the distributionof the music can be accomplished by using such a music distributionsystem.

The distribution system of music data has been described above as anexample of file data. In addition, the file data is applicable todistribution systems such as text data distribution system, image datadistribution system, video data distribution system (moving data such asMPEG, MPEG2), and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an example of a first IC card(smart card) which is received by a connecting apparatus according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing an example of a second IC card(memory card) which is received by the connecting apparatus according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing an example of the construction ofthe connecting apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the connecting apparatus of the presentinvention view from an open side of a slot thereof;

FIG. 5 is a view perspectively showing the connecting apparatus of FIG.3 viewed from a side;

FIG. 6 is a view for describing an example of the relationship betweenthe position of the smart card and that of the memory card when theyhave been inserted into the respective slots;

FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing an example of a connectingelectrode, which contacts a flat type connecting terminal;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing the construction of the smart card;

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a pattern of the flat typeconnecting terminal;

FIG. 10 is a view showing the construction of the memory card;

FIG. 11 is a view schematically showing the construction of a packagehaving a memory chip and a flat type connecting terminal mountedthereon;

FIG. 12 is a view showing the specification of an NAND type EEPROM of 16Mb and the layout of pins;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the construction of a memory chip;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are views showing another example of the constructionof the connecting apparatus of the present invention;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views showing a state in which an interfacecircuit of the connecting apparatus of the present invention isinstalled on a substrate of a personal computer in which a CPU 53 ismounted;

FIG. 16 is a view showing the construction of an information processingapparatus of the present invention in which a connector composed of asmall number of pins installed on a main board of a personal computer isconnected with a connector of the connecting apparatus through bundledconnected wiring;

FIG. 17 is a view showing the construction of an interface circuit;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of theinterface circuit;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of theinterface circuit;

FIG. 20 is a view for describing another example of the informationprocessing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a view schematically showing the construction of an interfacecircuit having a counter and a comparator; and

FIG. 22 is a view for describing another example of the use mode of theconnecting apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, the present invention will be described in detail withreference to the embodiments.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an example of a first IC card,which is received by a connecting apparatus according to the presentinvention. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing an example of a secondIC card, which is received by the connecting apparatus according to thepresent invention.

With a smart card 11 and a memory card 21 smaller the smart card 11 asan example of the first IC card and the second IC card, respectively,description will be done.

The smart card 11 has a length of 85.6 mm, a width of 54.0 mm, and athickness of 0.76±0.08 mm, thus conforming to the ISO7810. The smartcard 11 has a flat type connecting terminal 12 exposed on its onesurface. The flat type connecting terminal 12 of the smart card 11 alsoconforms to the ISO7816. Access to an IC contained in the smart card 11is executed through the flat type connecting terminal 12.

The memory card 21 shown in FIG. 2 has a length of 45.0±0.1 mm, a widthof 37.0 mm±0.1 mm, and a thickness of 0.76±0.08 mm, thus conforming tothe MO-186 (floppy disk card) of JEDEC. Although the shape and thenumber of pins are different from those of the flat type electrode 12 ofthe smart card 11, the memory card 21 has also the flat type electrode22 exposed to the outside on its one surface, thereby, access to an IChoused is executed through the first type electrode 22.

FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing an example of the construction ofconnecting apparatus 30 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a viewshowing the connecting apparatus 30 of the present invention viewed froman open side of the slot thereof. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showingschematically the connecting apparatus 30 of FIG. 3 viewed laterally.

The connecting apparatus 30 in an apparatus which holds inseted thesmart card (the first IC card) 11 having the first flat type connectingterminal 12 on a first face thereof and holds the inserted memory card(the second IC card) 21 having the second flat type connecting terminal22 on a first face thereof and smaller than the first IC card 11. Theconnecting apparatus 30 comprises a first connecting means 33 having aslot 31 into which the smart card 11 is inserted and connectingelectrode 32 which is so formed as to contact the flat type connectingterminal 12 when the smart card 11 is inserted into the slot 31; asecond holding means 36 having the slot 34 which is stacked so as toexpose an area where the connection electrode 32 is formed on the sidesurface thereon the connection 32 of the first holding means 33 areformed and through which the memory card 21 is inserted, and aconnection electrode 35 formed to contact with the plane terminal 22when the memory card 21 is inserted into the slot 34.

The first connecting means 33 and the second connecting means 36 are socombined with each other as to hold the smart card 11 and the memorycard 21 in the lower slot 31 and the upper slot 34, respectively.

The first connecting means 33 and the second connecting means 36 are notnecessarily required to have a shape to cover each of the smart card 11and the memory card 21 entirely but required to serve as a means forholding the IC card such that the inserted smart card 11 and the memorycard 21, respectively. For example, they may be so shaped as to hold apart of the IC card.

FIG. 6 is a view for describing an example of the relationship betweenthe position of the smart card 11 and that of the memory card 21 whenthe smart card 11 has been inserted into the slot 31 and the memory card21 has been inserted in the slot 34. The smart card 11 and the memorycard 21 can be inserted into the slot, without overlapping the flat typeconnecting terminal 12 and the flat type connecting terminal 22 witheach other, by overlapping the opening side of the slot with each other.

The connecting apparatus of the present invention are formed to contactfrom the same side with respect to the first flat type connectingterminal 12 and the second flat type connecting terminal 22. Theconnecting electrode 32 can be connected in a region 40 where the firstconnecting means 33 and the second connecting means 36 do not overlapwith each other. An interface circuit including a controller for drivingthe smart card 11 and the memory card 21 may be formed in the region 40.

It is required that the connecting electrode 32 which is connected withthe flat type connecting terminal 12 of the smart card 11 and theconnecting electrode 35, which is connected with the flat typeconnecting terminal 22 of the memory card 21, has a constructionaccording to the shape of the flat type connecting terminal 22. FIG. 7is a view schematically showing an example of the connecting electrodes,32 and 35, which contact with the flat type connecting terminals 12 and22. It is possible to provide a contact pin 37 having a spring mechanismwhich is shown in FIG. 7, according to the pattern of the flat typeconnecting terminal. It is possible to position the connection electrode32, 35, and such as a wiring connecting the interface circuit.

The smart card 11 will be described in detail below.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing schematically the construction of thesmart card 11, which is a kind of the IC card having a CPU and a memory.The smart card 11 contains an MPU13 chip comprising a CPU 14, a programmemory (ROM) 15, and an EEPROM 16 which is a data memory. The MPU13 chipis molded on one side of a wiring substrate, and the flat typeconnecting terminal 12 is formed on the other surface so as to beconnected with the MPU13.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the pattern of the flat type connectingterminal 12 of the smart card 11.

A pin 12a is a power source, a pin 12b is a reset (RST), a pin 12c is aclock (CLK), a pin 12e is a ground (GND), a pin 12g is a transmission(I/O), pins 12d and 12h are spare pens, and a pin 12f is not used.

The memory care 21 will be described in detail below.

The memory card 21 is a flash memory card thereon a chip having an NANDtype EEPROM is mounted. The memory card 21 has a length of 45.0±0.1 mm,a width of 37.0±0.1 mm, and a thickness of 0.76±0.08 mm, thus conformingto the MO-186 (floppy disk card) of JEDEC.

The memory card 21 is mainly constituted of two sections, As shown inFIG. 10, one is package 23 provided with a plane terminal thereon thememory chip is mounted and a base card 24 holding the package 23.

As shown in FIG. 11, the package 23 is formed of a wiring substrate 26on which a memory chip 25 is mounted; and a resin 27 formed on one faceof the wiring substrate 26 by molding. The memory chip 25 and a wiringboard 26 are connected with each other with a wire bonding 28. In orderto electrically connect with the outside, the flat type connectingterminal 22 is formed on the opposite side to the memory chip mountedsurface. The flat type connecting terminal 22 and the memory chip 25 areelectrically connected with each other via a through hole 26a disposedon the wiring substrate 26. The surface of the flat type connectingterminal 22 is plated with gold whose purity is 99.5% (hard goldplating) to improve its resistance to mechanical wearing. Such aconstruction allows the thickness of the package to be as small as about0.65 mm.

The base card 24 holding the package 23 has a stepped concave where thepackage 23 is engaged. The package 23 is fixed to the base card 24 bybonding at the stepped portion formed on the base card 24 and at thearea where the wiring board is not covered by molding resin. The flattype connecting terminal 22 of the package 23 is fixed so as toconstitute an essentially same plane with the surface of the base card24. The bottom portion of the concave portion of the base card 24 isformed a little bit deeper than the thickness of the mold layer 27 ofthe package 23 to reduce a stress which is applied to the memory chip 25and enlarge the margin of a thickness controls which is made in amolding process. The thin portion of the base card 24 corresponding tothe position of the memory chip 25 is so thin that the thin portion isformed of such as PC/ABS alloy high in its fluidity by injectingmolding.

The package 23 is thermally fixed to the base card 24, with a thermalcontact bonding sheet containing rubber as its main component placed onthe stepped portion of the base card 24 and with the package 23 placedon the thermal contact bonding sheet.

Referring to FIG. 2, the memory card 21 has on its upper surface acontact region in which the flat type connecting terminal 22 is formed,a region 81 to which a seal indicating write inhibition is stuck, aregion 82 to which an index label is stuck, and an indication region 83on which the capacity of the memory chip, a supply voltage, kind areindicated. Depending on a supply voltage, a cut-out portion 84 is formedat the front right corner or the front left corner of the base card 24in the insertion direction of the memory card 21. For example, thecut-out 84 is formed at the front left corner of the base card 24 in theinsertion direction of the memory card 21 having a supply voltage of 5V, whereas the cut-out 84 is formed at the front right corner of in theinsertion direction of het memory card having a supply voltage of 3.3 V.The cut-out 84 functions in cooperation with an error insertionprevention mechanism, thus preventing the memory chip 25 from beingelectrically destroyed when a supply voltage 5 V is applied to thememory card 21 whose supply voltage is 3.3 V.

In order to execute a write inhibit, an electrically conductive seal isstuck to the region 81. That is, writing to the memory card 21 can beprotected in a software manner and a hardware manner. That is, twoterminals of the connecting electrode 35 of the slot 34 are contactedwith a portion of the memory card 21 corresponding to the write protectregion thereof to detect whether or not the seal has been stuck thereto,depending on a conductive state of the seal.

Taking a NAND type EEPROM (TC5816AFT manufactured by Toshiba Co., Ltd.)as an example, a NAND type flash EEPROM which is mounted in the memorycard 21 is described below.

The memory of the memory card 21 is a flash memory, which is operated bysingle power source of 5 V or 3.3 V having a structure of 264 bytes×16pages×512 blocks. The memory chip contains a static register of 264bytes. The data of a program operation and that of a read operation aretransferred in units of 264 bytes between the register and a memory cellarray. The erasure of the data is executed in a block (units of 4 kbytes+128 bytes). The reason one page consists of not 256 bytes but 264,i.e., the reason a redundant region of eight bytes added to the 256bytes is because the redundant region is normally used as the region forstoring an ECC (error correction) sign or management information.

In the memory of complete serial type, where addresses, data, andcommands are sequentially inputted thereto and outputted therefromthrough input/output terminals of the flat type connecting terminal 22thereof, the program and erasing operation are automatically executed inthe memory chip.

FIG. 12 is a view showing the specification of the NAND type EEPROM of16 Mb and the layout of pins of the memory card 21. FIG. 13 is a blockdiagram showing the construction of the memory chip 25. Thus, the memorychip 25 does not contain any exclusive address pins, and addresses areinputted thereto through I/O pins at a plurality of sequences. Thus, thenumber of pins of the memory chip 25 is reduced, and it is unnecessaryto increase pins even though the capacity of the memory increases asindicated in FIG. 12 showing the layout of the pins of the NAND typeEEPROM of 16 Mb and 64 Mb. Accordingly, in the connecting apparatus ofthe present invention, the connecting apparatus can receive the memorycards 21 of various capacities without altering the construction of theconnecting electrode 35 thereof. Further, the connecting electrode 35can be commonly used for the memory cards 21 of various capacities. Thatis, only one connecting apparatus is sufficient for different kinds ofmemory cards.

The connecting apparatus of the present invention can be driven byreceiving both the memory card 21 and the IC card 11 (smart card).

It is possible for the connecting apparatus of the present invention toadopt a sequence contact system to execute an insertion/removal at anactive state. That is respective pins of the connecting electrode 32, 35of the connecting apparatus sequentially contact respective pins of theflat type connecting terminal 12 of the smart card 11 and the flat typeconnecting terminal 22 of the memory card 21, when insertion or removal.

For example, as a first step, a terminal VSS of the memory chip 25contacts the pin of the connecting electrode 35 to allow the groundlevel to be definite, and a CLE (Command Latch Enable: signal of commandlatching) is fixed at a low level (inactive state) to prevent anunrequited command from being inputted to the memory chip due to a noiseor the like in a sequence which will follow.

As a second step, a CE pin (Chip Enable: chip selection terminal) isfixed at a high level (inactive state) to enable a Hi-z state for anoutput pin of the memory chip. Thus, collision of data does not occur ona bus at the interface side, irrespective of the state of the bus.

As a third step, because the terminal VCC attains a predeterminedvoltage at the second step, electric current can be prevented fromflowing from a bus line through the output pin. Thus, it is possible toavoid problems such as latch-up from occurring in the drive of a CMOSdevice.

As a fourth step, no. 11 pins (VSS) contact with the pin of theconnecting electrode 35. The no. 11 pins (VSS) can be used to detect theinsertion of the memory card 21 into the slot 34 and its removaltherefrom. For example, using the no. 11 pins, the number of times ofconnections between the connecting electrode 35 and the flat typeconnecting terminal 22 can be counted.

According to the sequence contact system, when the IC card 11 or 21 isremoved from the slots 31 and 34, processing is executed in a sequencereverse to the above-described sequence.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B show another example of the construction of theconnecting apparatus 30 of the present invention. FIG. 14A shows theconnecting apparatus 30 having two slots into which both of the smartcard 11 and the memory card 12 can be inserted, respectively, and astate in which the connecting apparatus 30 is installed in a casing 50which can be fitted in a front device bay of a personal computer notshown in FIG. 14A, having a size of a half span of 3.5 inches. The slot34 for the memory card 21 is installed over the slot 31 for the smartcard 11. This construction allows the memory card can be seen by theoperator in case the smart card is inserted in the slot 31. In addition,placing the connecting electrodes 32, 35 at the upper side of therespective slots improves operability. Because, this construction allowsthe flat type connecting terminal exposed on each of the smart card 11and the memory card 12 to be seen in inserting and removing to/fromrespective slots. The slots 31 and 34 are provided with an ejectormechanism, respectively. Reference numerals 31b and 34b denote ejectorbuttons. The ejector mechanism is provided if necessary.

FIG. 14B is a sectional view, showing the construction taken along aline B-B' of FIG. 14A. The connecting electrodes 32 and 35 formed on theupper surface of the slots are electrically connected with the flat typeconnecting terminal 12 of the smart card 11 and the memory card 21respectively. In inserting the IC cards into the slots and removing themtherefrom, the insertion and removal of the IC cards can be accomplishedby the sequence contact system, namely, by sequencing the physicalcontact between the contact pins of the connecting electrodes and theflat type connecting terminals of the IC cards, as disclosed in JapanesePatent Application No. 6-254756 (JP-B2-2609431).

Wiring of connecting wiring 59 connecting the personal computer side andthe connecting electrodes 32 and 35 with each other can be facilitatedby bundling them. In this case, it is possible to reduce the number ofconnecting wiring 59 and allow them to serve as an interface between theconnecting electrodes 32 and 35 and the personal computer side in asimple construction by using the power supply and the ground commonly.In this case, it is preferable to bundle 30 pieces of connecting wiring59 or less. In order to prevent the interface circuit 55 from beingsubjected to noises in connecting the personal computer side and theconnecting electrodes 32 and 35 with each other, it is preferable toprovide the interface circuit 55 with a waveform shaping circuit such asa Schmidt trigger circuit to improve reliability.

FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are views showing a state in which the interfacecircuit 55 of the connecting apparatus 30 of the present invention isinstalled on a substrate 54 of the personal computer in which a CPU 53is mounted. The interface circuit 55 is connected with the CPU 53through a bus 56.

Connection between the interface circuit 55 and the connecting apparatus30 connects with the connecting wiring 59 as shown, for example, in FIG.14B between the connecting apparatus side connector 56 of the interfacecircuit 55 and the connector 51 of the connecting apparatus. In thiscase, it is preferable to reduce the number of the connecting wiring 59and bundle them into one by using the power source and the ground wiringcommonly, for example. The PC side of the interface circuit 55 is madecorrespond to the bus 56 such as ISA, PCI, USB, IEEE1394 or the like,whereas the connecting apparatus 30 side is so constructed as to driveboth the smart card 11 and the memory card 21 in parallel. A two-piecetype connector or an edge type connector may be used as the connector 51of the connecting apparatus 30.

FIG. 16 is a view showing the construction of an information processingapparatus of the present invention in which a connector 52b composed ofa small number of pins installed on a main board 54 of the personalcomputer is connected with the connector 51 of the connecting apparatus30 to bundle in one connection wiring 59. According to the presentinvention, it is possible to drive in parallel a plurality of IC cardshaving different shapes and specifications by means of a commoninterface.

A firmware of the MPU 13 contained in the smart card 11 is capable ofcontrolling the data memory EEPROM 16 mounted in the smart card thoughits memory size is different. It is preferable that the interfacecircuit 55 controls the difference in the memory capacity of the memorycard 21, the supply voltage thereof, and the kind thereof in a softwaremanner or a hardware manner or a driver software contained in thepersonal computer or the like controls them.

FIG. 17 is a view schematically showing the construction of theinterface circuit 55. FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are block diagramsschematically showing the construction of the interface circuit 55.

As shown in FIG. 17, at least one CPU (or DSP) 55a is provided in theinterface circuit 55 to allow the CPU 55a to execute decoding andencoding of data, for example. The IC contained in the smart card 11 hasalso a CPU. Thus, the CPU of the IC of the smart card 11 may hold asmall sized key, and the CPU of the interface circuit 55 may process thepublic key encoding/decoding. Further, security can be guaranteed fordata held by the memory card 21 as follows. That is, in holding digitalinformation such as photographs, fingerprints, voiceprints, and the likewhich are used for authentication in the memory card 21 and reading ittherefrom, decoding and encoding of data is executed by the CPU 55a ofthe interface circuit 55 or the CPU of the smart card 11. The CPU 55ahaving a high processing performance is capable of executing complicateddecoding and encoding processing in a short period of time. A load isincreasingly applied to the CPU, as the value of a key of RSA becomesgreater in bit length. Accordingly, to execute such a complicatedprocessing by the CPU of the smart card, it is necessary to take ameasure of providing a dedicated processor or the like to save time.Thus, according to the present invention, the CPU of the interfacecircuit 55 executes such a "heavy" processing. For example, according tothe present invention, a high-performance CPU of 16 bits or 32 bits canbe used properly, depending on necessity.

In the case of data not required to be decoded or encrypted, it ispossible to design the interface circuit 55 such that access can be madebetween the memory card 21 and the host side through path. For example,a header indicating whether or not data held by the memory card 21 hasbeen decoded may be attached to the data. The CPU of the smart card 11can execute the attachment of the header.

Having the above-described construction, the connecting apparatus andthe information processing apparatus of the present invention canimprove security for electronic settlements or accounts and digitalmoney. In particular, the connecting apparatus and the informationprocessing apparatus can safely store data of digital sign, medicalrecord, and the like, the information amount of which is as great as 1MB-16 MB or more which exceeds the capacity of the smart card and canoutput the data to the personal computer side or the network sidesafely.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 20 is a view for describing another example of the informationprocessing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a viewschematically showing the construction of the interface circuit 55 ofthe information processing apparatus.

The information processing apparatus comprises a memory 61 storing apredetermined value I as the number of times of contact between theconnecting electrode 32 and the flat type connecting terminal 12 of thesmart end 11 to secure the reliability of the connecting electrodes 32and 35 of the connecting apparatus; a counter 62 for counting the numberof times of the contact between the connecting electrode 32 and the flattype connecting terminal 12 of the IC card; and a means for comparingthe predetermined value I stored by the memory 61 with a value C countedby the counter 62 and stopping input/output of signals to/from the smartcard 11 when the counted value C has reached the predetermined value I.A digital comparator 64 executes a comparison between the predeterminedvalue I and the counted value. If it is determined that C≧I, access toan I/F 65 of the personal computer side or access to an I/F 66 thereofat its IC card side is stopped, based on a signal outputted to the CPU55a from the digital comparator 64.

The number of times of the contact between the connecting electrode 32and the flat type connecting terminal 12 of the IC card may be countedby the VCC of the smart card side I/F of the interface circuit 55.Instead, a sensor 63 may be provided on the slot 31 of the connectingapparatus 30 to count number of times of insertion of the smart card 11into the slot 31. Although description is given to a smart card 11,which is the first IC card, this method is applicable to the memory card21, which is also received by the connecting apparatus as the second ICcard.

Further, the first connecting means 33 and the second connecting means36 of the connecting apparatus 30 may be so formed that at least theconnecting electrodes 32 and 35 are exchangeable with each other. Inthis case, when the connecting electrodes 32 and 35 are exchanged witheach other, a value counted by the counter 63 is reset. In addition, itis possible to form the first slot 31 and the second slot 34 ascartridges to the first holding means 33 and the second holding means 36so that the two cartridges can be exchanged with each other.

Furthermore, it is very safe to provide the cartridge composed of theconnecting electrode and the slot with a construction of preventing thecartridge from functioning as soon as it is removed from the firstconnecting means or the second connecting means. For example, thecartridge may be provided with a mechanism of destroying it electricallyor mechanically immediately after it is removed from the firstconnecting means or the second connecting means or closing the openingof the slot.

The above description is concerned with an example of the connectingapparatus of the present invention which is used by containing it insidea casing of an information processing apparatus of the present inventionsuch as a personal computer. In addition, it is possible to use theconnecting apparatus by positioning it outside the casing of theinformation processing apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a view for describing a state in which the connectingapparatus of the present invention is used by connecting it with a handytype personal computer. The connecting apparatus 30, which is driven byreceiving the smart card 11 and the memory card 21, is connected with abus such as USB or IEEE1394 of the lap-top personal computer with theconnection wire 59b. Although the interface circuit 55 is providedinside the connecting apparatus 30, it may be provided in the personalcomputer. Needless to say, the connecting apparatus of the presentinvention can be used by loading into the handy type personal computerbecause it is very thin.

Embodiment 4

As described above, the electronic business transaction system, theelectronic banking system, and the electronic money system can beefficiently utilized in combination of the connecting apparatus of thepresent invention or the information processing apparatus thereof and aplurality of IC cards, for example, the smart card and the memory card.

In such a case, the security of the system can be enhanced by usingencrypted identification data held in the memory card for authenticationand using the smart card serving as a means for payment, in combinationwith the memory card.

As the identification data, image data such as a fingerprint, aphotograph of a face, the iris; voice data; and a combination thereofmay be used. It is preferable that the identification data is encryptedas a digital sign to authenticate individuals. For example, theidentification data may be encrypted by a CPU of an interface to storethe encrypted identification data in the memory card. Further, when theidentification data is encrypted by an external interface, the encodingmay be executed, based on a value of a key held in the smart card.

As an example of such a system, music distribution and payment which areexecuted by using two IC cards is described below. That is, music isdistributed to users by using various networks and the data of thedistributed music is stored in the memory card (for example, second ICcard). Using the IC card makes the payment and settlement of accountsfor the music distribution (for example, first IC card). Because thedata of music, image, and video is suitable for serial access, it isappropriate to hold it in the IC card having the flat type connectingterminal and a serial access type memory element.

It is preferable to distribute the data of music by compressing it byusing the compression algorithm such as AAC, AC-3 or the like to preventtraffic congestion and improve communication speed. Storing the data ofmusic in a compressed state therein can save the capacity of the memorycard. The memory card may hold the data of music by encrypting it. Themusic data itself may be encrypted. The encrypted music data stored inthe music data may be held in the memory card.

Music can be distributed to users through various kinds of networks suchas the Internet and the processing of the payment for the distributionof the music can be accomplished by using such a music distributionsystem.

The distribution system of music data has been described above as anexample of file data. In addition, the file data is applicable todistribution systems such as text data distribution system, image datadistribution system, video data distribution system (moving data such asMPEG, MPEG2), and the like.

As described above, according to the connecting apparatus of the presentinvention and the information processing apparatus thereof, a pluralityof IC cards including the smart card and the memory card can be utilizedin combination of a personal computer, and EWS or the like through slotspermitting the insertion of the IC cards therein and removal of the ICcards therefrom in an electrically active state. Further, according tothe connecting apparatus of the present invention and the informationprocessing apparatus thereof, a plurality of IC cards can be driven inparallel by a common interface. Accordingly, electronic businesstransactions such as electronic settlements of accounts, electronicmoney, and the like can be accomplished safely and easily by utilizingexisting infrastructures such as the personal computer. Furthermore, thepersonal computer, the FES, and the like can by utilized as interactiveterminals in making electronic business transactions such as electronicsettlements of accounts, electronic money, and the like. In addition,the connecting apparatus of the present invention and the informationprocessing apparatus thereof provide a higher degree of security fordata by providing at least one CPU in an interface circuit providedbetween the personal computer and the connecting apparatus apparatus.

Moreover, the connecting apparatus of the present invention is capableof compactly holding and driving a plurality of IC cards havingdifferent sizes, thus greatly improving the numbers of degrees offreedom in designing the information processing apparatus. Further, theconnecting apparatus can be preferably applied to a portable informationprocessing apparatus.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention is capableof always maintaining reliability of the connecting electrode which isconnected with the flat type connecting terminal of the IC card, thusimproving its reliability.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of electrical payment through a first integrated circuit (IC) card using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving the first IC card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:allowing a user to insert the first IC card into the first slot; allowing the user to insert the second IC card into the second slot; attempting to authenticate an identity of the user by using encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; processing payment from the user through the first IC card in response to a valid authentication; and sending information for storage on the second IC card.
 2. A method of allowing a user to download digital content data by using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:allowing the user to insert the first IC card into the first slot; allowing the user to insert the second IC card into the second slot; processing payment for the digital content data through the first IC card; and sending the digital content data to the second IC card after the payment is processed.
 3. A method of electrical payment through a first integrated circuit (IC) card using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving the first IC card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:allowing insertion of the first IC card into the first slot; allowing insertion of the second IC card into the second slot; reading account data stored in the first IC card; authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; processing a payment through the first IC card in response to the authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; and writing renewed account data into the first IC card.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first IC card is a smart card.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first IC card includes a central processing unit.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the second IC card is a memory card.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein the second IC card comprises:a flat type connection terminal; and at least one serial access memory element.
 8. A method of downloading digital content data using an external card-reader having a first slot for receiving a first integrated circuit (IC) card and a second slot for receiving a second IC card different from the first IC card, the method comprising the steps of:inserting the first IC card into the first slot; inserting the second IC card into the second slot; reading account data stored in the first IC card; authenticating encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; processing a payment through the first IC card in response to a valid authentication of the encrypted identification data stored in the second IC card; writing renewed account data into the first IC card; and writing the digital content data into the second IC card.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the digital content data comprises at least one of music data, video data, and image data.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the digital content data is compressed before it is written into the second IC card.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first IC card is a smart card.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first IC card includes a central processing unit.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the second IC card is a memory card.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the second IC card comprises:a flat type connection terminal; and at least one serial access memory element.
 15. A connecting apparatus for connecting a first IC card having a first face and a first flat type connecting terminal located on the first face and a second IC card having a first face and a second flat type connecting terminal located on the first face, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the connecting apparatus comprising:a first slot capable of holding the first IC card; a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type terminal when the first IC card is inserted into the first slot; a second slot capable of holding the second IC card; and a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type terminal when the second IC card is inserted into the second slot.
 16. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second connecting electrode is formed to expose a region of the first connecting electrode.
 17. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode are formed on the same sides, respectively, of the first and second slots.
 18. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first slot and the second slot are situated so that an insertion direction of the first IC card and an insertion direction of the second IC card are substantially the same.
 19. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein an opening of the first slot and an opening of the second slot are substantially coplanar.
 20. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first slot and the second slot are situated so that the first IC card and the second IC card overlap and so that first ends of the first and second IC cards coincide with each other.
 21. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first IC card complies with ISO7810, and an area of the second IC card is not greater than an area of the first IC card.
 22. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first IC card has a central processing unit (CPU) and the second IC card is a memory card.
 23. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second IC card has a thickness in compliance with ISO7810.
 24. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second IC card complies with JEDEC MO-186.
 25. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the second IC card comprises a serial access type memory element connected with the second flat type connecting terminal.
 26. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein the serial access type memory element is one of a NAND type flash memory and an AND type flash memory.
 27. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising interface circuitry operatively connecting the first connecting electrode to the second connecting electrode and driving the first IC card and the second IC card in parallel.
 28. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the interface circuitry is formed on an exposed region adjacent to the second connecting electrode.
 29. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the interface circuitry comprises at least a central processing unit (CPU).
 30. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein the interface circuitry comprises circuitry that decodes and encodes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
 31. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising a connector that connects an external circuit with the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.
 32. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein the connector is a two-piece type connector.
 33. The connecting apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein the connector is an edge-type connector.
 34. An information processing apparatus for driving a first IC card having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof and a second IC card having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face thereof, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the information processing apparatus comprising an interface circuit capable of driving in parallel the first IC card through the first flat type connecting terminal and the second IC card through the second flat type connecting terminal.
 35. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the interface circuit comprises at least a central processing unit (CPU).
 36. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the interface circuit decodes and encodes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
 37. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the first IC card comprises circuitry that decodes and encoding data input or output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card and wherein the interface circuit decodes and encodes data input to an output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
 38. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the first IC card comprises circuitry that DES-decodes and DES-codes data input or output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card and wherein the interface circuitry RSA-decodes and RSA-codes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
 39. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a waveform shaping circuit.
 40. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 39, wherein the waveform shaping circuit is a Schmitt trigger circuit.
 41. An information processing apparatus comprising:a casing; a substrate accommodated in the casing and having a central processing unit (CPU) mounted thereon; connecting apparatus comprisinga first slot into which a first integrated circuit (IC) card can be inserted, the first IC card comprising a first flat type connecting terminal, a second slot into which a second IC card can be inserted, the second IC card comprising a second flat type connecting terminal, a first connecting electrode capable of contacting the first flat type connecting terminal, and a second connecting electrode capable of contacting the second flat type connecting terminal; interface circuitry on the substrate capable of operatively connecting the first IC card and the second IC card and of controlling in parallel signals transmitted between the CPU and the first IC card and the second IC card; and wiring connecting the interface circuitry with the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.
 42. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a CPU.
 43. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry decodes and encodes data input to and output from one or both of the first IC card and the second IC card.
 44. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, further comprising common connection wiring connecting the interface circuitry with at least one of a power supply terminal and a ground terminal of the first connecting electrode and the second connecting electrode.
 45. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein the interface circuitry is mounted on the substrate and comprises a waveform shaping circuit.
 46. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein the waveform shaping circuit is a Schmitt trigger circuit.
 47. An information processing apparatus, comprisingconnecting apparatus comprising:a slot capable of receiving an integrated circuit (IC) card, the IC card including a flat type connection terminal, a connecting electrode capable of contacting the flat type connecting terminal, and interface circuitry capable of accessing the IC card through the connecting electrode and the flat type connection terminal, wherein the interface circuitry comprises a counter that counts a number of times of contact between the connecting electrode and the flat type connecting terminal and circuitry comparing a predetermined value with the number of times of contact and stopping access to the IC card when the counted value reaches the predetermined value.
 48. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 47, wherein the connecting electrode is exchangeably formed and wherein the interface circuitry resets a counter value when the connecting electrode is exchanged.
 49. The information processing apparatus as set forth in claim 47, wherein the connecting electrode discriminates an unused state and a used state from each other and wherein a value counted by the counter is reset only when the connecting electrode in the unused state is exchanged.
 50. An information processing apparatus capable of holding an inserted integrated circuit (IC) card having a first flat type connecting terminal on a first face, and an inserted second IC card having a second flat type connecting terminal on a first face, wherein the second IC card is smaller than the first IC card, the information processing apparatus comprising:first connecting apparatus comprising a slot into which the first IC card is inserted and a first connecting electrode which is formed to contact the first flat type connecting terminal when the first IC card is inserted into the first slot; and a second connecting apparatus comprising a slot into which the second IC card is inserted and a second connecting electrode which is formed to contact the second flat type connecting terminal when the second IC card is inserted into the second slot. 